Apprentice Laboratory Technician

Kirklees College

West Yorkshire (HD1 3LD)

Closes in 27 days (Monday 10 August 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 13 July 2026

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Summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen within our laboratory where we are looking to appoint enthusiastic and dedicated individuals with a passion for science. Your focus will be required to support the senior science technicians within the science department to support the delivery of practical science.

Wage

£15,392 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Staff development opportunities include a mentoring scheme, financial contributions for external qualifications and skills development for current and aspiring managers.

Training course
Laboratory technician (level 3)
Hours
37 hours per week, 4 days at the workplace and 1 day at college in the academic terms.

37 hours a week

Start date

Monday 7 September 2026

Duration

2 years

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

Ensuring the safety of equipment, laboratories, and preparation areas, including:

  • Testing of science apparatus
  • Daily visual checks of gas, electricity and water supplies
  • Safe storage of hazardous apparatus and chemicals
  • Monitoring and maintenance of hazardous sources
  • Maintain accurate inventories of departmental resources
  • Assess future stock requirements and place orders as required for departmental resources and stationery
  • Carry out routine maintenance and minor repairs within the department and liaise with Line Manager regarding more serious maintenance issues
  • Prepare and set out apparatus at the start of a lesson
  • Support the lecturer where needed during the lesson
  • Clean and remove apparatus at the end of each lesson
  • Review and reorganise the storage of apparatus on a regular basis
  • Be aware of and work in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018, including the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) 2018
  • Comply with the Colleges policies and procedures at all times
  • Under supervision, undertake other reasonable duties (with competence and experience) as requested, in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation
  • Attend all college sessions and hand in assessments on time
  • Actively engage with NVQ and EPA activities in the workplace to support progression
  • Perform their duties in accordance with the College’s Equality Policy, undertaking mandatory training as required by the College
  • Show a commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults, undertaking mandatory training as required by the College
  • Demonstrate a commitment to the College’s values and behaviours of Inclusive, Nurturing, Supportive, Pride, Integrity, Respect, and Excellence
  • Perform their duties in a manner which respects British values, including individual liberty and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs
  • Ensure the health and safety of all staff and resources within their area(s) of responsibility, i.e. delegated responsibility in relation to the nature of the post holder’s duties and personal responsibilities as per Sections 7 and 8 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
  • Participate in the College’s Performance Management Review Scheme
  • Undertake Continuous Professional Development (CPD) relevant to their post
  • Demonstrate core competencies as required by the role
  • Embed the College’s whole organisational approach to improving standards of literacy, numeracy and language in line with the national Skills for Life Strategy and the College’s in-house Skill Up programme
  • Perform any other duties as may be reasonably required from time to time by the Principal and Chief Executive, through the Line Manager
  • This job description may be subject to change, following consultation between the post holder and Kirklees College

Where you'll work

Huddersfield Centre
Manchester Road
Huddersfield
West Yorkshire
HD1 3LD

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

KIRKLEES COLLEGE

Training course

Laboratory technician (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Comply with health and safety policies and procedures including HASWA, COSHH, risk assessments, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), manual handling, emergency procedures.
  • Maintain excellent housekeeping, in accordance with organisation Standard Procedures
  • Order and control stocks of laboratory materials where required
  • Identify, organise and use resources effectively to complete tasks applying the concepts of resource efficiency e.g energy, water and waste
  • Adhere to internal and external regulatory requirements e.g. GLP, GMP, GDP
  • Prepare for, and perform, laboratory experiments, tests or tasks following any specified methodologies to provide reliable, accurate data e.g. weighing, pipetting, filtering, spectroscopic techniques, chromatography techniques
  • Demonstrate technical competence in the use of specified instruments and equipment
  • Report faults and seek diagnostic advice to maintain equipment in good working order, including calibration where required
  • Complete documentation proficiently
  • Keep accurate records of laboratory work undertaken and results
  • Contribute to the preparation of reports.
  • Use simple statistical techniques for data presentation and evaluation e. g calculation of median and standard deviation, production of graphs
  • Demonstrate problem solving techniques including identification of sources of error and how they can be reduced e.g. human error
  • Use standard software packages and applications e.g. Microsoft Office suite
  • Use Laboratory Information Management systems to support their work
  • Address non-routine problems with samples and instrumentation, within defined areas
  • Identify relevant information from scientific sources e.g. supervisors, literature etc. in order to contribute to solutions
  • Participate in continuous performance improvement of systems and processes relevant to the work environment e.g. workplace organisation techniques, accreditation (e.g. ISO, UKAS) and proficiency testing.
  • Evaluate data, recognise and call attention to anomalous or unusual results
  • Comply with health and safety policies and procedures including HASWA, COSHH, risk assessments, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), manual handling, emergency procedures.
  • Maintain excellent housekeeping, in accordance with organisation Standard Procedures
  • Order and control stocks of laboratory materials where required
  • Identify, organise and use resources effectively to complete tasks applying the concepts of resource efficiency e.g energy, water and waste
  • Adhere to internal and external regulatory requirements e.g. GLP, GMP, GDP
  • Prepare for, and perform, laboratory experiments, tests or tasks following any specified methodologies to provide reliable, accurate data e.g. weighing, pipetting, filtering, spectroscopic techniques, chromatography techniques
  • Demonstrate technical competence in the use of specified instruments and equipment
  • Report faults and seek diagnostic advice to maintain equipment in good working order, including calibration where required
  • Complete documentation proficiently
  • Keep accurate records of laboratory work undertaken and results
  • Contribute to the preparation of reports.
  • Use simple statistical techniques for data presentation and evaluation e. g calculation of median and standard deviation, production of graphs
  • Demonstrate problem solving techniques including identification of sources of error and how they can be reduced e.g. human error
  • Use standard software packages and applications e.g. Microsoft Office suite
  • Use Laboratory Information Management systems to support their work
  • Address non-routine problems with samples and instrumentation, within defined areas
  • Identify relevant information from scientific sources e.g. supervisors, literature etc. in order to contribute to solutions
  • Participate in continuous performance improvement of systems and processes relevant to the work environment e.g. workplace organisation techniques, accreditation (e.g. ISO, UKAS) and proficiency testing.
  • Evaluate data, recognise and call attention to anomalous or unusual results

Training schedule

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

More training information

1 day per week in college, at Kirklees College, Waterfront Centre in Huddersfield.

You will complete an End Point Assessment. This will involve the following:

  • Knowledge test
  • Observation with questioning
  • An interview

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

Maths and English (grade 4 or above)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • IT skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Presentation skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience
  • Physical fitness

About this employer

Kirklees College is a large further and higher education provider with over 10,000 students and 300+ courses across seven specialist centres in West Yorkshire. The college serves school leavers, adults, and degree-seeking students through full-time, part-time, and apprenticeship programs

https://kirkleescollege.ac.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

You’ll also have access to a range of staff benefits including an employee assistance programme, retail and leisure discounts and reduced Metro travel.

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

Role of Laboratory Technician.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

KIRKLEES COLLEGE

Agata Walon

awalon@kirkleescollege.ac.uk

07929075137

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000042153.

Apply now

Closes in 27 days (Monday 10 August 2026 at 11:59pm)